Matador's Ultimate Guide to South Africa

Natural beauty, world-class dining, and wildlife-rich safaris ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [South Africa]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to South Africa Hi there, South Africa is a bucket-list destination for those seeking incredible natural beauty, world-class dining, and wildlife-rich safaris. From the iconic Table Mountain—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—to Johannesburg's vibrant nightlife, and Darling’s rolling hills and vineyards, visitors are left with an otherworldly sense of awe. While you should absolutely embark on a safari to see the Big Five, be sure to expand your itinerary to include other incredible spots in South Africa. Take a stroll through [Garden Route National Park]( [meet some chatty penguins]( in the seaside town of Betty’s Bay, or relax in the Cape Winelands, [sipping local award-winning wines]( at sunset. It's a win-win, no matter how you spend your time here. [EXPLORE SOUTH AFRICA]( [GuideGeek]( [what to pack]( Before You Go: All the Gear You Need for an African Safari [SAFARI ESSENTIALS]( Get Inspired [Garden Route National Park]( A Guide to the 5 Best South African National Parks From the world-renowned Kruger National Park to the lesser-known Addo Elephant National Park and Garden Route National Park, here are five of the best and biggest national parks in South Africa, including what to expect at each one and the animals they’re known for. [READ MORE]( [Cape Town at sunset]( The Most Scenic Spots in Cape Town That Only Locals Know About Locals tend to stay away from these tourist traps during peak season, but that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the good stuff. From beaches and vineyards to garden viewpoints, there are many scenic spots that are equally beautiful but offer a bit more peace and quiet away from the crowds. [READ MORE]( [penguins]( This Small Town Is the Best Place to See Penguins Outside of Antarctica If you’re looking to add a bit of wildlife spotting to your South African vacation, head to the small seaside town of Betty’s Bay. This area is home to thousands of African Penguins, also known as Jackass Penguins, making it one of the best places in the world to see these delightful creatures in their natural habitat. [READ MORE]( [seeing an elephant on a safari]( The Only Place in the World to Indulge in Both Local Wine and Safaris Safari-seekers feel right at home in South Africa, with opportunities to see the famous “Big Five” —lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalo —as well as giraffes, hippos, and zebras. Alternatively, you could spend your entire trip indulging in local wine in the Franschhoek region, a valley with French flair dotted with vineyards and wineries. [READ MORE]( [Karoo Desert]( Roadtripping South Africa’s Incredible Klein Karoo Desert South Africa has no shortage of scenic drives and road trip options to explore—many of which include astounding coastal roads and dozens of mountain passes built by some of the world’s most revered engineers more than 100 years ago. [READ MORE]( [Blue Train]( Ride This Train for 994 Miles Across South Africa's Beautiful Landscapes The nearly 1,000-mile, luxurious train trip between Cape Town and Pretoria (and sometimes even all the way to Kruger National Park) is one that wows its passengers by going through four South African provinces and some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, from mountains to vineyards, deserts, and the country’s biggest cities. [READ MORE]( [family in Cape Town]( What to Do on a Family Vacation in Cape Town, South Africa, With Kids Many of its iconic attractions, from Table Mountain to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, are fit for travelers of all ages. Head to the beach, observe the local flora and fauna, and dive into South Africa’s history—you’ll have no problem staying busy. [READ MORE]( [giraffe at a safari lodge]( 19 Kruger National Park Lodges and Safari Packages, From Budget to Luxe Many of the Kruger National Park lodges in the area offer safaris as part of the room price, and considering they can also arrange transportation from you from area airports, visiting doesn’t need to be stressful. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [lion cubs]( 6 Things to Know Before Planning Your Kruger National Park Safari The sprawling national park is certainly one of the most popular safari destinations in South Africa, and potentially the world, thanks to its resident “Big Five” species. Here, you can capture fantastic photos of herds of animals like giraffes, elephants, and other iconic species roaming the grassy landscape. [READ MORE]( [Cape Point]( The Most Epic Day at Cape Point, on the Edge of Africa It may not be the most southerly point in Africa, as sailors once believed, but the peninsula once known as the Cape of Storms is a rugged place that captivates visitors. Its jagged cliffs soar hundreds of feet above a swirling ocean littered with visible shipwrecks from a distant era. The next notable landmass, Antarctica, is some 4,000 miles away. [READ MORE]( [safari at night]( 8 Things I Learned While Stranded After Dark on an African Safari With night fast approaching, being on a safari with the Big Five after dark isn't something anyone would want to experience. Here are some tips on how to make sure it doesn't happen to you. [READ MORE]( [skiing in Lesotho]( Learning to Ski in Lesotho, Africa’s Breathtaking Mountain Kingdom A small country tucked into the middle of South Africa, Lesotho is home to snow-capped mountain ranges where two of Africa's thirteen ski resorts stand. Beyond skiing, we were captivated by Lesotho’s rugged beauty and the slow pace of life we experienced in one of its villages. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Vintage Wine Tram]( A Vintage Wine Tram Is the Best Way to Enjoy Cape Winelands The ultimate way to travel through the spectacular Cape Winelands in style is aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. This vintage-style railway tram will take you on a journey through Franschhoek Valley’s 300-year-old winemaking history while you sample some of South Africa’s prized wines. Along the way, you can hop on and off to visit some of South Africa’s oldest and most acclaimed vineyards. [READ MORE]( [South African Chefs]( These South African Chefs Are Changing the Global Fine-Dining Landscape A long and tragic history of colonialism throughout Africa might explain why many of South Africa’s fine-dining establishments have a French influence. However, an exciting new generation of chefs aims to celebrate African flavors, cultures, and ingredients in their dishes and showcase that African cuisine deserves a space in the fine dining scene. [READ MORE]( [Bunny chow]( Bunny Chow Highlights South Africa’s Rich Cultural Heritage Bunny chow is a simple concept: a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry. However, the origins of bunny chow are a source of constant discussion. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [South Africa places to stay]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( [Open email in your web browser and bookmark for your next trip]( EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH MATADOR — FOLLOW US HERE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [X.com]( [Threads](  [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here]( or simply, [unsubscribe](. We'll be here when you need us. Move this email to your primary inbox or add Hello@MatadorNetwork.com as a contact so you never miss an email from us. Copyright © 2024 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States